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parislexi
New Pal
USA
2 Posts |
 Posted - 01/27/2011 : 06:16:34 AM
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Zitron Trekking Pro Natura Bamboo Sock Yarn - will never use it again for socks.
Purchased 3 skeins: Knitted socks out of 2 and both pairs wore out in the heels after
few wears ( wore them less than 5 times). Also felt harsh on my feet even after delicate washes. I intend to use the 3rd skein for a shawlette. |
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Milinda
Permanent Resident
USA
3816 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2011 : 6:31:02 PM
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Oh, no, that's awful. I haven't had that problem but I certainly feel for you. Nothing like working that hard and having them fall apart. As I said, I haven't had that problem with that yarn but I do feel your pain. 
M L
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lella
Permanent Resident
9697 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2011 : 2:24:15 PM
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That's never a happy thing. Sorry it happened! I do notice that there is no nylon in the blend. That adds some durability and strength to yarns for socks.
Lella
Zippiknits
Want to make Betty Happy? Help buy her some brand new shoes. |
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Debbie52
New Pal
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 06:17:34 AM
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I will never use bamboo for socks either. I used a wool/bamboo blend: Regia bamboo (45% bamboo, 40% wool, and 15% nylon). They don't hold their shape and sag after a few hours.
Keep knitting because "If the knitter is weary the baby will have no new bonnet [or socks]." ~Irish proverb |
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Zoomom
New Pal
Canada
11 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2013 : 10:09:51 AM
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I also found it is too drapey for socks. I would use it for a shawl or scarf. It is soft and shiny and pretty, but those socks live in my drawer and never see the light of day because they just want to slide off my feet.
Hand knit socks rock. |
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kkknitter
Seriously Hooked
641 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2013 : 06:45:13 AM
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Good sock yarn is so important. But, you have to keep trying out new and different fibers. So far I find that Opal is among the best, but the colors are so dull. Right now I'm using yarn given to me by a spinning/knitting friend who also dyes her own sock yarn. I will give her the first pair just in case the yarn does not hold up Has anybody made socks with Lorna's Laces Solemate yarn? It is spun with 30% Outlast whatever that is?
Keep trying parislexi!
Kristina |
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robinstephanie
Seriously Hooked
USA
876 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2013 : 09:05:52 AM
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I've not tried knitting socks out of a bamboo blend because I've always thought that bamboo doesn't breathe, and that's the last thing i need on my feet. Don't know if I'm right about the not breathing thing, but it's really good to know about the durability thing.
Something I heard from Ann Budd is that you can use silk instead of nylon for strength, so now I'm knitting a pair of socks with 80% Polwarth wool and 20% silk. We'll see how they last.
Robinsteph
Different is good. ~Matthew Hoover |
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Gloria B
New Pal
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2013 : 3:08:49 PM
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I've never knitted with bamboo sock yarn, but I bought some commercial bamboo socks and wore them on a vacation that involved a LOT of walking. They've held up very well so far, and the best thing about the socks is that they stayed fresh-smelling, even over the several wearings when I couldn't wash them. So there is an upside to bamboo socks. I had no problem with them not breathing either. I love these socks. They are soft and comfortable, and actually my favorite ones. But they were commercially knitted too. --Just my input, if any of it is worth anything.
Gloria B
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Shalee
Permanent Resident
USA
2023 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2013 : 3:28:32 PM
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I haven't had the opportunity to try Opal yet, but hear it is great. Since I've done both hand knitting and circular sock knitting machine socks I've stuck with what I had on hand and have been purchasing yarns on sale that I have used before. I've seen some beautiful socks, on the CSM site I belong to, made from yarns I haven't used. Unfortunately I've overspent my budget on yarn so I won't be trying the more expensive sock yarn for awhile!
Edited to add: Oops, I forgot to mention I have stayed away from the bamboo yarn on purpose. Don't know why, but just don't want to try it.
Sharon in NW PA
I always wanted my own library but I didn't realize it would be all knitting books!
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Ceil
Permanent Resident
USA
1564 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 5:30:14 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Debbie52
I will never use bamboo for socks either. I used a wool/bamboo blend: Regia bamboo (45% bamboo, 40% wool, and 15% nylon). They don't hold their shape and sag after a few hours.
The trick about bamboo yarn is that some of the stretch comes from the fabric, not the yarn. So if the socks are stretching out and won't hold their shape, the socks are asking for fewer stitches on the needles.
I knitted a pair of socks from the Regia bamboo yarn for my DH, and they have held up wonderfully. But I had to do a little homework by swatching. I just looked at my notes, and while size can't be factored in as I discuss this here, I wrote down that, if the sock yarn had been wool, a sock would have needed 84 sts. The bamboo yarn took 68 sts to get the same girth!
It was this difference that caused me to assemble an Alternative Sock Yarns class where we look at the behavior of various sock yarns.
Ceil
(Ravelry: ceilr)
Time is never a factor when joy is involved. |
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Grand-moogi
Seriously Hooked
Australia
773 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2013 : 07:08:51 AM
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Apparently bamboo does not absorb water. That is why it is used for such things as laminated wooden look floors and other items that go in wet areas. It is also extremely strong. In China they use it for scaffolding when they are building huge buildings. This could explain some of its behaviour in a yarn. I bought my son a couple of pairs of bamboo socks for his birthday and he raved about them. So much so that I bought him more for Christmas. He asked where I got them and how much they were. I told him and he choked at the price but agreed they are worth it. Ceil's advice about the number of stitches might be the secret to hand knitted bamboo socks.
I knit a hug into every stitch |
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Topic |
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Bamboo Sock Yarn
